"The Da Vinci Code" has undermined faith in the Roman Catholic Church and badly damaged its credibility, a survey of British readers of Dan Brown's bestseller showed on Tuesday. People are now twice as likely to believe Jesus Christ fathered children after reading the Dan Brown blockbuster and four times as likely to think the conservative Catholic group Opus Dei is a murderous sect."An alarming number of people take its spurious claims very seriously indeed," said Austin Ivereigh, press secretary to Britain's top Catholic prelate Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor."Our poll shows that for many, many people the Da Vinci Code is not just entertainment," Ivereigh added.He heads a prominent group of English Roman Catholic monks, theologians, nuns and members of Opus Dei, who commissioned the survey from leading pollster Opinion Research Business (ORB) and have sought to promote Catholic beliefs at a time when the film's release has provoked a storm of controversy.... http://news.yahoo.com

Full text of speech: President Bush will deploy up to 6,000 National Guard reservists on the southern border of the United States in an effort to stem the tide of immigrants crossing illegally from Mexico. The measure, announced in a rare televised address from the Oval Office last night, is part of a $1.9 billion plan for reforms on immigration. It also being seen as an effort to ease the flow of grassroots conservative support away from a President whose approval ratings are 31 per cent, and falling, in the run-up to mid-term elections. "We do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that," the President said. Mr Bush was careful to strike a balance between getting tough on immigration while extending the possibility of eventual citizenship to the 12 million illegal immigrants already in America....http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2182383,00.html

At least 19 people have been killed in a shooting and bombing attack in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police say. Five people were shot dead by gunmen at a car park in the city's north-eastern Shaab area. When people, including nearby police units, rushed to the scene, a car bomb was detonated, killing a further 14. At least 33 others were wounded in the attack, police said. The car park is often used by worshippers at a nearby Shia Muslim prayer hall. Some of the injured were severely burned and died before being taken to hospital, police officer Ali al-Obeidi was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying. Officials say the death toll could rise further. In other violence in the city, at least six civilians were killed and several injured in gun battles between gunmen and police in Baghdad's southern Doura district, Iraqi officials said. The US military said on Tuesday that three of its soldiers were killed in roadside bomb attacks in and around Baghdad in the past 24 hours...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4986868.stm

Wholesale prices leaped 0.9% in April, most in seven months, but increases were tame outside food and energy, as the pace of home construction continued to slow.The jump in the producer price index, which measures the costs of goods before they reach stores shelves, came after a sizable 0.5% increase in March, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. Virtually all the pickup in inflation at the wholesale level, however, reflected surging energy costs, which shot up 4% in April, largest increase since October. Separately, the Federal Reserve said a 0.8% increase in production at the nation's factories, mines and utilities in April followed a strong 0.6% rise in March. The report suggested industrial activity was brisk even as producers have to cope with higher prices for energy and other raw materials....http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/inflation/2006-05-16-ppi-starts_x.htm?csp=34

Russia and China will not vote for the use of force in resolving the Iranian nuclear dispute, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday in a sign of persisting differences with the U.S.After two days of talks with his Chinese counterpart, Lavrov said Moscow and Beijing hold identical positions on Iran's nuclear program and a separate one by North Korea: Both disputes require diplomacy, not force.In an outreach to Tehran, Lavrov also said that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will attend a summit meeting next month in Shanghai of leaders from Russia, China and four Central Asian nations."We cannot isolate Iran or exert pressure on it. Far from resolving this issue of proliferation, it will make it more urgent," Lavrov told reporters. "Russia and China will not vote for the use of force in resolving this issue."...http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-05-16-china-russia-iran_x.htm?csp=34

A 14-year-old Ohio girl has been jailed nearly a week after failing to testify against a man accused of molesting her.Court records show the girl has requested a lawyer. But jail officials say she isn't permitted contact with anyone unless prosecutors approve.Prosecutors say the teen is a material witness and they want her jailed for her safety. A judge has ordered that she be held indefinitely....http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/05/16/teen.jailed.ap/index.html?section=cnn_us